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Baby Meningitis Has Grave Consequences

It’s an unfortunate truth that doctors sometimes make mistakes, hospitals are occasionally negligent and nursing staff has been known to make errors. What is tragic is that these mistakes, negligent acts and errors can cause a baby to suffer a serious injury. One of the most dangerous birth injuries is an infection known as meningitis.
Meningitis is a life threatening condition that leads to swelling of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is estimated that hundreds of babies are born with meningitis every year in the United States. These are not just statistics – they are hundreds of lives that are placed in jeopardy each year.What causes neonatal meningitis?
This infection can affect infants whose birth was delayed or prolonged after the mothers’ water broke. Meningitis can also occur when a baby inhales meconium during delivery, also known as the infant’s first bowel. Meconium can be breathed in when the baby is in distress, often referred to as meconium aspiration syndrome.
Are there complications associated with meningitis?
There are many possible repercussions of this dangerous infection. Meningitis can result in the following problems:

Hearing loss

Memory troubles

Vision problems

Epilepsy

Mental impairment

Death

Since the consequences of baby meningitis are so grave, it is imperative that the condition is diagnosed and treated promptly. However, since some of the symptoms of this ailment mimic less serious illnesses, such as the flu, doctors sometimes misdiagnose the infant’s meningitis. For example, meningitis symptoms include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite and irritability, to name a few.
If your child has suffered from meningitis as a baby and you believe that negligence was a factor, you should contact an experienced Kentucky birth injury attorney at the Law Office of Schachter, Hendy & Johnson at (859) 578-4444 or (888) 606-5297. Our law firm has been representing injured victims and their family members in Kentucky and Ohio for over 35 years. We will review your case and explain your best course of action.